Shloka 20
Yajña-bhāga-vyavasthā and the Pravṛtti–Nivṛtti Framework (यज्ञभागव्यवस्था तथा प्रवृत्तिनिवृत्तिधर्मविवेचनम्)
तत्रोत्तरां दिश॑ं गत्वा शैलराजस्य पार्श्चुत:
tatrottarāṃ diśaṃ gatvā śailarājasya pārśvataḥ
Then, proceeding toward the northern quarter, he went along the side of the king of mountains—his journey deliberate, guided by direction and terrain, as dharma-shaped narratives often mark the right path by both geography and purpose.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights purposeful movement in accordance with direction and setting—an implicit dharmic motif in the Mahābhārata where right conduct is often framed as following an ordered path (diśā, mārga) toward a goal, not wandering aimlessly.
A figure (as narrated by Bhīṣma) travels northward and proceeds along the flank of a great mountain—setting up the next event by locating the action in a specific direction and near a prominent landmark.